by a young man, and his body was then placed upon the blazing faggots and consumed.  The next day, the old preacher Joshua, met a similar fate.  The wife of Tatepocoshe, and his nephew Billy Patterson, were then brought into the council house, and seated side by side.  The latter had led an irreproachable life, and died like a Christian, singing and praying amid the flames which destroyed his body.  While preparations were making for the immolation of Tatepocoshe’s wife, her brother, a youth of twenty years of age, suddenly started up, took her by the hand, and to the amazement of the council, led her out of the house.  He soon returned, and exclaiming, “the devil has come among us, (alluding to the Prophet) and we are killing each other,” he reseated himself in the midst of the crowd.  This bold step checked the wild frenzy of the Indians, put an end to these cruel scenes, and for a time greatly impaired the impostor’s influence among the Delawares.

The benevolent policy of the governor of Indiana Territory (William Henry Harrison,) towards the Indian tribes, had given him much influence over them.  Early in the year 1806, and so soon as he had heard of the movements of the Prophet, and the delusion of the Delawares in regard to witchcraft, he sent a special messenger to them with the following speech.  Had it reached them a little earlier, it would probably have saved the life of the aged Tatepocoshe.

“My Children:—­My heart is filled with grief, and my eyes are dissolved in tears, at the news which has reached me.  You have been celebrated for your wisdom above all the tribes of red people who inhabit this great island.  Your fame as warriors has extended to the remotest nations, and the wisdom of your chiefs has gained for you the appellation of grandfathers, from all the neighboring tribes.  From what cause, then, does it proceed, that you have departed from the wise counsels of your fathers, and covered yourselves with guilt?  My children, tread back the steps you have taken, and endeavor to regain the straight road which you have abandoned.  The dark, crooked and thorny one which you are now pursuing, will certainly lead to endless woe and misery.  But who is this pretended prophet, who dares to speak in the name of the Great Creator?  Examine him.  Is he more wise or virtuous than you are yourselves, that he should be selected to convey to you the orders of your God?  Demand of him some proofs at least, of his being the messenger of the Deity.  If God has really employed him, he has doubtless authorized him to perform miracles, that he may be known and received as a prophet.  If he is really a prophet, ask of him to cause the sun to stand still—­the moon to alter its course—­the rivers to cease to flow—­or the dead to rise from their graves.  If he does these things, you may then believe that he has been sent from God.  He tells you that the Great Spirit commands you to punish with death those who deal in magic; and that he is authorized